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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 142–143Cite as

Army Alpha Intelligence Test

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Synonyms

Army Alpha Examination; U.S. Army Alpha Intelligence Test

Definition

The Army Alpha [5] was developed shortly after the United States entered World War I by an American Psychological Association (APA) Committee on the Psychological Examination of Recruits, led by Robert Yerkes. It was one of three intelligence tests that were designed to identify Army recruits with low intelligence and allow for the recognition of those who were candidates for special assignments and officer-training schools. The Army Alpha emphasized verbal skills, and was given to all recruits.

Description

Development of the Army Alpha

Once the United States decided to enter World War I, Robert Yerkes, the President of the APA at the time, was anxious to show the value of the field of psychology and the unique contribution it could make to the war effort. He first approached the United States Navy but was turned down; however, the United States Army was agreeable to have APA assist the war effort. They...

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References

  1. Carroll, J. B. (1982). The measurement of intelligence. In R. J. Sternberg (Ed.), Handbook of human intelligence (pp. 29–120). New York: Cambridge University Press.

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  2. Fancher, R. E. (1985). The intelligence men: Makers of the IQ controversy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

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  3. Gardner, H., Kornhaber, M. L., & Wake, W. K. (1996). Intelligence: Multiple perspectives. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

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  4. Gould, S. J. (1982). A nation of morons. New Scientist, (6 May 1982), 349–352.

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  5. Yoakum, C. S., & Yerkes, R. M. (1920). Army mental tests. New York: Henry Holt and Company. (Out of print, available at books.google.com)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Doctoral Studies in Psychology, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ, 07083, USA

    David Brandwein

Authors
  1. David Brandwein
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D.

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Brandwein, D. (2011). Army Alpha Intelligence Test. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_182

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